Hollow opened his eyes slowly.

  The ground beneath him was cold. Solid. Real.

  Too real.

  His body felt… wrong—heavy, dull, weakened. Something was missing. A lot of things were missing. The raw power that once coursed through him like a living flame was gone. He felt hollow in more than just name.

  He tried to focus, raising his head.

  People. Dozens of them. Laughing, talking, walking past him without a second glance.

  A park.

  A human park.

  Children played, couples strolled, and street performers entertained passing crowds. The entire scene was buzzing with pointless, mindless life. Not a single soul screamed. Not a single person ran for their life.

  It made no sense.

  In the world he came from, humans hid. They screamed. They bled. But here… they lived like nothing could hurt them.

  Hollow narrowed his eyes, now dull black instead of their usual infernal red.

  “What the hell is this…?” he muttered.

  He reached within himself, trying to draw power, to summon the familiar surge of Abyssal energy—

  Nothing.

  His fingers trembled. There was no hunger, no darkness. No connection to the void.

  “…I have no power,” he whispered.

  He stared at his hand like it had betrayed him.

  No claws. No shadows. Nothing.

  “Am I… starving?” he wondered aloud. “Maybe if I devour one of these humans, I’ll get my strength back…”

  A tall, muscular man walked nearby, earbuds in, gym bag slung over one shoulder. He wasn’t paying attention.

  Perfect.

  Hollow rose shakily to his feet, his pride seething beneath his empty skin. His eyes locked on the man. “Yes… this one.”

  With all the speed his weakened body could muster, he lunged—hand slicing through the air like a dagger aimed for flesh.

  But instead of cutting… he bounced.

  His fingers crumpled awkwardly against the man's chest. Pain jolted up his arm.

  "What…?" Hollow blinked in shock.

  The man turned, pulling out his earbuds with a scowl.

  “The hell’s your problem, freak?” he growled.

  The words hit harder than any physical blow. Hollow’s eye twitched.

  How dare he…?

  “You dare mock me?” Hollow hissed. “I'll show you your place, pathetic human!”

  He clawed again, this time aiming for the man’s neck. But the blow was blocked—easily—by a raised shoulder.

  Then the man swung.

  Hollow didn’t see it coming.

  A single punch to the face sent him sprawling across the pavement. The impact rattled his skull. Pain pulsed through his entire body.

  He lay there, stunned, the taste of defeat sharp in his mouth.

  The man snorted and walked off. “Lunatic in the park,” he muttered.

  Hollow groaned, trying to stand.

  “You dare turn your back on me…?”

  Fueled by humiliation, he hurled himself at the man again, wrapping his arms around his neck from behind. The man staggered slightly—then reached back and slammed him to the ground.

  By now, a crowd had formed.

  “Is he crazy?”

  “What’s with the outfit?”

  “Bro, is this a prank or something? This better be on YU2!”

  Phones were recording. People were whispering.

  That was when the police arrived.

  Two officers parted the crowd. One knelt beside the fallen Hollow with an exhausted sigh.

  “What’s going on here?”

  “He’s the problem!” came the chorus of voices. “He attacked that guy!”

  The man who punched Hollow was dusting off his shirt and rolling his shoulder.

  The officers exchanged a look. One of them crouched beside Hollow.

  “Hey, kid. Can you stand?”

  Hollow blinked up at him, disoriented and aching. The words didn’t make sense. They meant nothing. He tried to respond, but only a growl escaped.

  “Alright,” the cop said with another sigh, pulling out handcuffs. “Don’t strain yourself.”

  With casual ease, he flipped Hollow over and cuffed him.

  “Show’s over, people. Move along.”

  They hoisted him up and hauled him toward the patrol car. Phones followed. Whispers and laughter followed.

  And Hollow?

  He could barely breathe.

  Each step burned.

  His body was broken. Humiliated.

  And as the police shoved him into the back of the vehicle, he muttered through clenched teeth.

  “This… isn’t over… damn humans…”

  “Yeah, yeah,” one of the officers said, slamming the door. “They’re all crazy these days.”

  Meanwhile, far away—

  Liliane dropped to her knees on soft, damp grass.

  She gasped for air, heart racing as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. She was in a forest clearing, surrounded by tall trees that whispered with the breeze. Everything felt off. Her body felt heavier… unfamiliar.

  She looked at her hands—and froze.

  Her skin was the same. But her hair, once snow-white, was now a deep brown. Her once-vibrant sapphire eyes were a soft, hazel-brown.

  "What’s happening to me…?"

  But she didn’t have time to panic. Not now.

  She had to find Hollow.

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  Pushing herself up, she left the clearing. A short walk brought her to a quiet residential street—lined with tidy houses and well-trimmed hedges. Children played with soccer balls. Laughter echoed from open windows.

  Lily furrowed her brows.

  How could they be so calm? Didn’t they realize the danger?

  She approached a group of teens, her voice clear and urgent.

  “You there! What are you doing just standing around?! There’s an Abyssal loose—Hollow is somewhere nearby! You need to find shelter, now!”

  The teens stared.

  One with dyed blue hair laughed. “Whoa, is this part of a con or something?”

  “Are you in cosplay?” another asked, already lifting his phone. “Can we get a picture?”

  Lily took a step back, confused.

  “No… I can’t waste time here,” she said under her breath, and turned away.

  “She seemed crazy…,” one boy muttered.

  “Kinda cute, though,” the other added with a grin.

  Lily didn’t hear them. She walked on, heart pounding with anxiety and anger.

  “How can they act like this? What kind of place is this…?”

  Ahead of her, the street rose in a gentle slope. She climbed, half in a daze.

  And then, at the top—

  She saw something that made her breath catch in her throat.

  Before her stretched a vast city of steel and glass.

  Skyscrapers pierced the clouds like modern titans, their reflections glittering under the afternoon sun. Cars crawled along busy roads. Buses rumbled by. The hum of civilization echoed in every direction.

  Liliane stood still at the top of the hill, eyes wide.

  She had never seen anything like it.

  In the Spiritual World, human settlements were small—hidden, fragile. Always watching the skies. Always ready to flee.

  But here…

  Here, they lived in peace.

  Loud. Bright. Vulnerable.

  “How can they live like this…?” she whispered, placing a hand over her chest. “How can they be so calm… when everything’s at stake?”

  She stepped back, shaken. The weight of her confusion threatened to break her resolve.

  But Hollow is here, she reminded herself. Somewhere.

  No matter how strange this world was, no matter how powerless she had become—she had a duty. A vow.

  She turned her back on the skyline and descended the hill with renewed determination.

  The city was overwhelming.

  People stared as she walked—her white kimono stained and torn, her expression alert and searching. Her eyes scanned every face. Every alley. Every reflection in the glass.

  No sign of Hollow.

  At one point, she found herself in front of a glass building with spinning doors. Curious, she stepped into one. The door moved—but so did she. And then again. And again.

  She pushed harder. The world spun around her.

  Trapped.

  A small crowd gathered. Some chuckled, others filmed. Eventually, a building guard stepped in and helped her out with visible confusion.

  “Thank you…” Lily said breathlessly, brushing her hair back. “This place is far more complex than it appears.”

  The man just shook his head and walked off.

  Next, she encountered a strange metal staircase that moved on its own—carrying people upward without effort. She stepped onto it confidently… and nearly lost her balance at the top. Her kimono snagged.

  “W-What…?”

  She tugged, but it only made things worse. A couple of strangers tried to help, but it took a sharp pull to free her. The garment tore loudly.

  She stumbled away, flustered and glaring at the machine.

  “What kind of trap is this?”

  Laughter followed her.

  Some thought it was cosplay. Others a publicity stunt. But to Lily, it was a minefield of confusion.

  And things only escalated.

  She wandered into a building lined with glass and glowing panels. It looked public. Instead, it was a corporate office.

  A man behind a desk blinked in surprise.

  “I’m sorry, miss, but this is a workplace. You can’t be in here.”

  “I’m looking for someone,” she said earnestly. “A man with black hair and red eyes. He’s dangerous. Have you seen him?”

  The receptionist scratched his head. “Uhh… no? I think you’re in the wrong place. Maybe try a convention center or… something?”

  “Please,” Lily said, stepping closer. “It’s important.”

  “I’m gonna have to ask you to leave,” the man said, pressing a button under the desk. “Or I’ll call security.”

  She hesitated a moment longer—then turned and left, confused and increasingly frustrated.

  Behind her, employees peeked over cubicle walls, whispering about the "weird kimono girl" walking around like she was in a fantasy movie.

  Back outside, the air was crisp but warm. Lily clenched her fists, her thoughts swirling like a storm.

  She didn’t understand this world. She didn’t know how she got here.

  But she knew one thing for certain:

  Hollow was here.

  And the humans—whether they realized it or not—still needed protecting.

  She walked faster.

  Her torn kimono fluttered behind her, drawing stares and whispers. But she didn’t care. Her mission kept her focused.

  Then—two police officers approached.

  The older one raised a hand in greeting, voice gentle but firm.

  “Excuse me, miss. Could we speak with you for a moment? You’re not in trouble—we’ve just had a few reports. We want to make sure you’re okay.”

  Lily blinked at them, still trying to process this strange world.

  “Do you know where Hollow is?” she asked abruptly. “He’s extremely dangerous. I need to find him before it’s too late.”

  The younger officer glanced at his partner, then back at her with a polite smile.

  “Let’s go somewhere safe first,” he said calmly. “We’ll talk there. Then, we can help you find your… friend.”

  Friend.

  The word struck her like a blade.

  Her eyes widened, her cheeks flushing unexpectedly. Why did it sound so wrong? So… personal?

  “He’s not my friend!” she snapped. “He’s a threat! I’m the only one who can stop him!”

  The officers exchanged another silent glance—this time, with a touch more sympathy.

  “Understood,” said the older officer. “Let’s just talk, alright? Then we’ll see what we can do.”

  Lily took a deep breath.

  She was shaking.

  Her chest felt tight. Her thoughts scattered.

  But… she had no other leads. No strength. Only her human form, and the will that still burned in her heart.

  “Fine,” she whispered. “If you’ll help me find him… I’ll come with you.”

  They nodded.

  Gently, they guided her toward the patrol car. She climbed in without resistance, her eyes scanning the horizon one last time.

  She didn’t know where this path would lead.

  But she was still Liliane.

  And she wasn’t done.

  Hollow sat in a small interrogation room, the dim overhead light casting sharp reflections off the metal cuffs binding his wrists to the table.

  He yanked at them once—hard.

  The chains rattled, but held firm.

  What once could crumble mountains now left nothing but red marks on his skin.

  Two officers stood across the room, watching his struggle with growing disbelief.

  “What exactly do you think you’re doing?” one asked, unable to hide a smirk.

  Hollow stopped. He lowered his arms, defeated for now. He didn’t answer.

  The younger officer stepped forward, adjusting his notepad. “Alright, let’s start from the beginning. Can you tell us your name?”

  “Hollow,” he replied flatly. His voice held no emotion. Just... weight.

  The officer exchanged a glance with his partner. “Hollow. Okay. Where are you from?”

  “Nowhere.”

  The answer came sharp and dry—too hollow to question.

  Elsewhere, in a quieter room, Liliane sat with her hands resting gently in her lap. She looked calm, composed—even serene—despite the strangeness of her surroundings.

  “What’s your name?” the officer across from her asked, his tone warm, trying to put her at ease.

  “Liliane Moonlight,” she said clearly.

  The officer raised an eyebrow. “Moonlight? Is that your real name?”

  “Yes,” she answered without hesitation.

  “And where are you from, Liliane?”

  “Jin Kyoten. It’s the human settlement. You must know of it. I need to get back there.”

  The officer blinked. “Jin Kyoten? I’m sorry, I’ve never heard of that. Is it in another country?”

  Liliane’s voice sharpened. “It’s the fortress of humanity. I have to return. There are people counting on me.”

  Back in Hollow’s room, the questioning continued.

  “Why are you here, Hollow?” the older officer asked, now seated and scribbling notes. “What brought you to this point?”

  Hollow stared blankly at the table.

  “I don’t know.”

  The officer frowned. “That’s all you have to say?”

  He didn’t respond.

  The silence grew heavy. After a few more questions that yielded nothing, the officers stood and quietly exited the room. The moment the door clicked shut, Hollow tried the cuffs again—pulling with all the fury he had left.

  Nothing.

  Only pain.

  He winced and leaned back in the chair, breathing hard. The absence of power in his body was agonizing. There was no hunger. No rage to feed. No shadow to command. Just weakness.

  Just emptiness.

  The door creaked open again.

  Hollow looked up.

  The man who entered was different.

  He wore a long, modern coat detailed with abstract patterns along the seams—elegant, strange, and unmistakably custom. His gray hair was slicked to the side, and a pair of tinted glasses hid his eyes, adding to the air of precision and control that clung to him like a tailored aura.

  He moved with ease. Confidence. The kind of man who wasn’t supposed to be here—but made you feel like you were the one out of place.

  “Well, well…” the man said, pulling the chair across from Hollow and sitting down. “The Lord of the Abyss himself. My, how far you’ve fallen.”

  Hollow’s eyes narrowed, his voice low and rough. “Who are you?”

  “Call me Nick,” the man said with a grin, resting his chin on a gloved hand. “And of course I know who you are. One moment you’re a walking catastrophe—feared across realms—and now you’re sitting here, cuffed like a common delinquent.”

  His smile widened.

  “Life’s funny like that. Or perhaps I should say… this is your first taste of what life really is after all.”